Kang Yuchan is not the first of his brothers to try a solo run. It’s always seemed like K-pop boy group A.C.E are a tight-knit team; when one or two dabbled in acting, the others followed. Closely following vocal powerhouse JUNHEE’s successful solo debut, Yuchan decided it’s his time to see what he’s capable of as a single unit. His recently released EP REBEL is an easy listen – maybe too easy at times – but a respectable case for the singer. 

Champagne Poppin’ begins with distant vocals so soulful they’re teetering on NSFW. The song changes tempo, and we realise we’re definitely in for a ride. The deep house dance track is a blend of 2010s pop and K-pop’s enduring R&B chord progressions and grooviness, infused into every compatible song. We’ve got to give it to the K-pop overlords that birthed the likes of SHINee’s “View” and f(x)’s “4 Walls” that managed to transform an unbearably soulless genre within American and British pop into a vibrant world of endless possibilities. 

The hook “Champagne poppin’, love me deep, you got it / No cocaine, you make me into an addict” is the most memorable part of the whole record. It’s simply too well-made, despite being nothing revolutionary, which, unfortunately, as the pre-released single of the EP, a couple of the brand-new songs seem like a bit of a letdown. The Bonnie & Clyde-esque music video to the track is low budget for K-pop’s standards, but plenty cheeky and provides a sufficient visual for the song. Yuchan’s chemistry with actress Park Heejung comes off as if they really were having a blast on set.

The house genre isn’t going anywhere yet. The EP’s opener, The Call of the Wild has tropical elements, and its catchiness goes understated. Yuchan’s chorused hook, laid atop a bassy house beat and R’n’B synths, will get your hips doing a little dance on their own. It’s a strong start, and sets up listeners for slight disappointment with the following track. Melodic drum ‘n’ bass track Close To You is regurgitated pop, but if you want something familiar and un-stimulating, it’ll do the job. Surprisingly, this was the song that was bestowed a music video with the EP’s release, but you won’t miss anything if you opt out of watching; Yuchan’s just taking a little walk in Los Angeles neighbourhoods. Similarly to the track, nothing really happens.

Body Talk has a nice premise and pretty synths, but doesn’t go anywhere due to the limit of its short runtime. We’re not sure where bridges have gone in music these days, but we’d like to reiterate that they’re almost as important as the real-life thing. This simplicity, however, works well in Best For Me. The lullabyish track isn’t expected to change besides its three comforting chords, though Yuchan’s falsettos are heights tall enough for the song to reach, without need for it to go anywhere further production-wise. Yuchan’s gentle vocals are hard not to jump on and sing along to instantly. It’s arguably the best amongst the newest songs on the record. 

The Call of the Wild actually got its own music video just two days ago, and while it’s as simple as bread and butter, it’s much more creatively inspired than the video to Close To You. The decision to promote the latter instead of the former is an odd one. With REBEL, Kang Yuchan has made a decent effort at a solo record with more potential than it lets itself play with, but the highs keep us hopeful for a smoother comeback. The world would keep turning without this album existing, but there’s no denying it gets better on every listen.

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Written by Maddie Armstrong

Featured image courtesy of WAYBETTER

_{View of the Arts is an online publication dedicated to films, music, and the arts, with a strong focus on the Asian entertainment industry. With rich content already available to our readers, we aim to expand our reach and grow alongside our audience by delving deeper into emerging platforms such as K-pop and Asian music more broadly. At the same time, we remain committed to exploring the vibrant and ever-evolving global landscape of film, music, and the arts, celebrating the immense talent and creativity that define these industries worldwide.}